Recent Entries

• Another Biker Killed By Tesla Utilizing Automated Driving Mode

  by RevBigJohn Apr 26
  Once again, Tesla is in the news and there is tragic news for bikers. A fatal crash involving a motorcyclist and Tesla near Seattle, WA, made national news when the driver of the Tesla admitted the incident occurred while the Tesla was operating in “autop...

• IIHS Updates Crash Ratings

  by RevBigJohn Apr 25
  Today the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced updated ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests to address crashes that occur at higher speeds and those in which the struck vehicle is a motorcycle or large truck. This ...

• Who Do You Know Should Join Us?

  by RevBigJohn Apr 24
  Yes, that headline is probably not the best grammar, but the question is one of the best. We participate in the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) because we want to ride what we want, where we want, when we want and with whom we want. The MRF has always been as much about pe...

• Senate Tries, Fails To Stop EPA

  by RevBigJohn Apr 22
  On April 18th, the U.S. Senate attempted to prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using funds to implement the Biden Administration’s new rule on tailpipe emissions. The EPA regulation would require automakers to sell more electric vehicles and hybrids by gradually tight...

• MRF Agenda Gets STEAM Power

  by RevBigJohn Apr 19
  Last weekend, ABATE of South Dakota hosted the 34th Annual Heartland Seminar to Educate and Motivate (STEAM) event in Sioux Falls, SD. Riders from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin gathered to share information about how the Motorcycle Riders Foun...

• Just A Month Away! Register NOW!

  by RevBigJohn Apr 17
  More Than Holding Common Ground The legislative priorities for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, were determined at the 2023 Meeting of the Minds in Pennsylvania. SMRO leaders and their legislative directors met and collectivel...

• No Speeding... Ever?

  by RevBigJohn Apr 12
  Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in California requiring “every passenger vehicle, motortruck, and bus manufactured or sold in the state” to be equipped with speed limiter technology, starting with the 2027 model year. According to the bill (SB 961), the t...

• Right To Repair Must Be Protected

  by RevBigJohn Apr 9
  Right To RepairMust Be ProtectedBob Kay - IMA Chairman The Right to Repair affects all of us whether we work on our own bikes or have a shop work on them. The information and tools necessary to make repairs must be availab...

• 2022 Crash Statistics NHTSA Report Mixed News For Bikers

  by RevBigJohn Apr 5
  This week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its final 2022 Fatality Analysis Reporting System traffic crash data. NHTSA reported 42,514 total fatalities in the U.S. in 2022. That is a 1.7% decrease from the previous year.However, the final n...

• Nebraska Modifies Helmet Law

  by RevBigJohn Apr 3
  Lawmakers in Nebraska last week updated their new helmet law to make life easier for both Nebraska bikers and those traveling through the Cornhusker State. As you may remember, after decades of fighting to let those who ride decide whether to wear a helmet, Nebraska repealed the state helmet mandat...

• Three MRF Roadshow Stops To End March

  by RevBigJohn Apr 1
  Out Like A LionThree MRF Roadshow Stops To End MarchOklahoma | Louisiana | Minnesota The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) proudly attended ABATE of Oklahoma's S.M.I.L.E Conference in mid-March. MRF Board member Deb Craig, MRF...

• MRF Visits Waymo Latest In Robo-Taxis

  by RevBigJohn Mar 29
  Last week, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) attended an event in Washington, D.C., hosted by Waymo, a self-driving car company. Titled “Every Mile Together: Waymo Safety Forum and Discussion," this event included a panel discussion with executives for Waymo, the National Safety...

• More Than Holding Common Ground

  by RevBigJohn Mar 26
  From: MRF Director of Conferences & Events To: MRF Members & All Motorcyclist Rights Advocates Subject: Bikers Inside the Beltway 2024 More Than Holding Common Ground The legislative priorities for the Motorcy...

• Call To Action U.S. Senate Bill S. 3094

  by RevBigJohn Mar 22
  Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final rule on tailpipe emissions. The plan calls for greenhouse gas emissions limits for the 2027 through 2032 model years for passenger vehicles. The original plan would have required 67% of new light-dut...

• NHTSA On Notice Again

  by RevBigJohn Mar 15
  On March 9th, President Biden signed a Congressionally passed spending bill that funds half of the Federal Government’s operations through the end of September. Funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), was include...

• Ed Youngblood Former President of the AMA Passes At Age 80

  by RevBigJohn Mar 14
  The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is sad to announce the passing of an esteemed figure in the motorcycling community, Ed Youngblood.On Sunday, March 10, former AMA president Ed Youngblood passed away after a battle with lung disease in Florida. He was 80. Ed was a strong suppo...

• What Is The Chevron Deference Why Does It Matter

  by RevBigJohn Mar 13
  Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could upend the current regulatory framework in Washington, D.C. The current case is questioning a 40-year-old precedent that impacts all three branches of the federal government.A 1984 court case involv...

• MRF Roadshow Stops: Missouri Freedom of Road Riders

  by RevBigJohn Mar 12
  On Saturday, March 9th, MRF Director of Membership Eric Ross and MRF A&E Board Assistant Ron Braaksma attended a Freedom of Road Riders (FORR) conference in Jefferson City, Missouri. Eric Ross was a guest speaker, discussing MRF accomplishments in 2023 and covering the MRF Legislative Agenda...

• MRF Representatives Visit Insurance Institute for Highway Safet

  by RevBigJohn Mar 12
  MRF Representatives VisitInsurance Institute for Highway SafetyTest Center Last week, Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Vice President Jay Jackson and D.C. Lobbyist Rocky Fox visited the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ...

• MRF & IMA Meet In Daytona

  by RevBigJohn Mar 8
  On Wednesday during Bike Week in Daytona Beach, FL. representatives of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council (IMA), with members of the motorcycling media present, met with an important group of involved motorcycle shop owners,...

• Hidden Helmet Legislation?

  by RevBigJohn Mar 2
  The Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association (CMRA) has identified helmet legislation within a bill called HB5330: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. This legislation covers several topics, with language regarding wetlands, building...
  comments

• Stay Vigilant!

  by RevBigJohn Mar 2
  Regarding motorcycle safety equipment, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation has long advocated that the government should “Let Those Who Ride Decide.” That is why recent news out of Illinois should make all bikers take notice. A new bill, HB5620, would require all mo...

• E15 Changes In The Midwest

  by RevBigJohn Mar 1
  Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a policy change related to gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15). In 2025 this new policy will allow gas stations in eight Midwestern states to sell E15 fuel year-round. Current policy prohibits E15 sales between June 1st and Septe...

• Right To Repair

  by RevBigJohn Feb 27
  In November 2023, HR 906, the REPAIR Act, cleared the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce. The Act is awaiting a vote from the full House Energy and Commerce Committee four (4) months later. Contact your Representatives and tell them to support and push forward th...

• Jiggs Cressy Honored by Sturgis Museum Hall of Fame

  by RevBigJohn Feb 23
  Jiggs Cressy, who has been an MRF member for more than twenty (20) years, is to be recognized by the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame with their esteemed Freedom Fighter Award. The announcement from the Museum Hall of Fame states: The 2024 Freedom Fighter Award...

• Having Second Thoughts?

  by RevBigJohn Feb 20
  Over the weekend, media reports have surfaced that the Biden Administration might loosen its rules for the country’s switch to electric vehicles. You may remember that last year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed strict tailpipe emissions standards that would effectively force ...

• New Leadership For House Motorcycle Caucus

  by RevBigJohn Feb 16
  This week, the House Motorcycle Caucus announced changes to its leadership team. Congressman Michael Burgess of Texas, who will retire at the end of the year, has stepped down as co-chair of the caucus. Congressman Burgess helped found the caucus in 2009 and has been a tirele...

• Independent Motorcycle Shops Under Attack

  by RevBigJohn Feb 14
  Proprietary tools and diagnostics are limiting what can be done by independent shops. These shops are a cornerstone of our lifestyle and the way we take care of our motorcycles. When Dealerships will no longer work on our bikes, we turn to these folks and now the Manufacturers are puttin...
  comments

• MRF Roadshow Stops: ABATE of Wisconsin and National Council of

  by RevBigJohn Feb 13
  MRF Roadshow Stops:ABATE of WisconsinandNational Council of Clubs This past weekend was the annual Officer's Training for ABATE of Wisconsin. The MRF was well represented at the event. Present were MRF President Kirk “Har...

• Lawmakers Hit NHTSA on Fuel Economy Proposal

  by RevBigJohn Feb 9
  Late last month, 120 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) slamming proposed changes to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks. ...